Convertible camp stool and table



March 6, 1934. A SCHENCK CONVERTIBLE cAMP sTooL AND TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 NAI @E Filed Jan. 24,. 1933 IIH IHI

March 6, 1934. A SCHENCK 1;949,662

CONVERTIBLE CAMP STOOL AND TABLE n Filed Jan. 24, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 OO R Lq/gO-lill T Patented Mar. it?, 1934i ED STATES PATENT oFFicE.

6 Claims.

This invention relates to camp stools and more particularly to a ioldable and convertible stool and table structure.

An object of this invention is to provide a camp stool of the foldable type which is so constructed that it can be readily unfolded for use as a stool or, if desired, uniolded additionally for use as a table.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination stool and table of this kind which will occupy a relatively small space so that a number of these stools can be readily transported from point to point and used as either tables or chairs.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a device or" this kind an improved table supporting means which is carried by the stool and which is shiitable into operative position beyond the legs of the stool so as to hold the outer end portions of the table in open position.

The above and various other objects and advantages of this invention will in part be described and in part be understood from the following detailed description of the present preferred embodiment, the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Figure 1 is a detail front elevation of a stool constructed according to the preferred embodiment of this invention, showing the stool in open position with the table portion thereof folded.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of the stool open for use as a table.

Figure l is a detail front elevation of the stool and table in collapsed or folded position.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure 5 but showing the seat and table structure in partially collapsed position.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the table leaf locking means.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals or" reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 10 designates generally a pair of leg members which are heldin spaced parallel relation to each other by means of an upper brace 11 and a lower brace 12. These leg members 10 have secured thereto at a point intermediate the ends, leg members le which are pivoted, as at 15, to the leg members 10, and are adapted to be swung toward the leg members 10 when the device is in folded position, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

These leg members 14 are constructed in two parts with an upper leg portion 16 connected to a lower leg portion 17 by means of a pair of Z-shaped hinge members 18 disposed one on each side of the leg members 16 and 17 and on oppog site sides of the adjacent leg member 10. The upper leg members le are held in spaced relation to each other by means of an upper cross bar 19 and a lower cross bar or brace 20. By construct'4 ing the leg members 14 with the confronting ends 65 of the upper and lower members 16 and 17 in offset relation to each other, the confronting ends engage the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of the leg members 10 so as to limit the swinging movement of the leg members 10 relative 70 to the leg members 14 when in open position. Preferably, the Z-shaped hinge members 18 are so formed that when the leg members 10 and 14 are in folded position, these leg members will be in parallel relation to each other. 7

A plate 21 is adapted to engage the upper edges of the cross bars 11 and 19, and this plate 21 constitutes the seat structure for the stool and also constitutes a portion of the table structure When the device is used as a table. This plate or seat member 21 is secured to the cross bar 19 by means of a double acting hinge structure including a substantially O-shaped pintle 22 which has one portion thereof secured, as at 23, to the top member 21 and the other portion thereof secured, as at 24, to the cross bar 19. Preferably, the top member 21 is of a length greater than the distance between the cross bars 11 and 19, when these bars are swung into open position and in order to permit the folding of the top 21 when the leg members 10 and 14 are folded, the top 21 is provided on each side of the hinge member 24 with an elongated slot 25.

By the use ci these slots 25 and the double acting hinge structure, the O-shaped member 22 can be swung through an arc slightly less than 360 relative to the hinge member 24. A exible tab or pull member 26 is secured to the lower surface of the top member 21 and forms a means for pulling the top 21 from between the two bracing 100 members or cross bars 12 and 20 when the device is in folded position as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

In order to provide a convertible table structure, I have provided on each side of the top 105 member 21, a table leaf 27 which is hinged, as at 28, to the side of the top 21. These leaves 27 are of a length substantially equal to one-halt the width of the top 21 so that they may be swung one toward another and in this position 110 will present a relatively solid double leaf top member when the device is used as a stool.

In order to hold these leaf members 27 in closed or folded position, I have provided a sliding lock of substantially U-shaped congiu'ation, as shown in Figure 7, and designated generally 29. These leaf members 27 are each provided with a slot 25' registering with the slots 25 when the leaf members are in folded position. This lock 29 is provided with an elongated slot 30 and a lug 31 at one end thereof. The parallel legs of the U-shaped member 29 are adapted to engage on opposite sides of each of the top members 27 when the device is used as a stool. A headed pin 32 in the form of a screw, nail or the like, extends through the slot 30 and prevents removal of the locking member 29 from one of the leaf members 27.

A slidable table supporting member, generally designated as 33 is mounted on the cross bar 19 adjacent one end thereof, and this member 33 is of substantially U-shaped cross sectional configuration and slidably engages the opposite sides and upper edge of the cross bar 19. This table supporting member 33 is provided with an elongated slot 34 and a screw or headed member 35 extends through this slot and into the cross bar 19 so as to slidably hold the supporting member 33 on the cross bar. There are two of these table supporting members on` the cross bar 19 and in like manner, there are also two of these members of similar construction on the cross bar 11.

In the use and operation of this device, when it is desired to use the device as a stool, the pull member 26 may be grasped in one hand and the folded table and top structure pulled upwardly while at the same time, the upper end of the top structure is pulled outwardly so that the top 21 will rock on the hinge structure including the members 22, 23 and 24, as shown in Figure 6. The top 21 shown in Figure 6 is not quite released from the cross bar 12, but a slight additional upward movement thereof will carry the lower end of the top 21 above the cross bar 12 which is disposed in a plane below the cross bar 20. When the lower end of the top structure 21 is free of the cross bar or brace 12, the top structure may then be swung downwardly relative to the cross bar 19 and then swung upwardly so that the top 21 will rest on the cross bars 11 and 19 when the legs are unfolded, as shown in Figure 2.

During this swinging movement or unfolding of the chair, the top 21 together with the table leaves 2'7 will be swung as a unit, in View of the fact that the leaves 27 are securely held in folded or collapsed position by means of the locking member 29. When it is desired to use the device as a table, the locking member 29 may be moved so that the two leaf members 2'7 will be released therefrom and can be swung outwardly. The table supporting member 33 can then be moved longitudinally of the bracing members 11 and 19 so that the outer end portions of the leaf members 27 will be adequately supported beyond the ends of the braces or cross bars 11 and 19.

If desired, the table extensions 27 may be omitted and also the sliding braces 33 omitted, so as to reduce the cost of construction of the combination table and chair, and where these members are omitted, the top 21 will be narrow so that it will make a relatively small table or chair seat, as may be desired.

Itis, of course, understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, such changes and modifications being restricted only by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed istl. A device as set forth comprising pairs of leg members, means for holding the leg members in spaced parallel relation, means for hingedly securing the legs of one pair to the legs of another pair, a top, and a double acting hinge engaging the leg holding means and the top to permit swinging of the top from a folded position between the legs to a position on top of the leg holding means, said hinge comprising two leaves and a substantially O-shaped pintle connecting the leaves together.

2. A device as set forth comprising pairs of leg members, means for holding the leg members in spaced parallel relation, means for hingedly securing the legs of one pair to the legs of another pair, a relatively rigid top, and hinge means engaging the top and the leg holding means, said top having a pair of slots extending inwardly from one edge thereof to permit swinging of the top relative to the holding means through an arc of substantially 360, said hinge comprising two leaf members and a substantially O-shaped pintle connecting the members together, that portion of the pintle between the members being engageable in said slots.

3. A convertible stool and table comprising pairs of leg members, means for holding the leg members in spaced parallel relation, means for hingedly securing the legs of one pair to the legs of another pair, a relatively rigid top, a double acting hinge engaging the leg holding means and the top to permit the swinging of the top from a folded position between the legs to a position on top of the leg holding means, means for holding the top in folded position between the legs,

and swingable members carried by opposingv edges of the top for movement to a position in alinement with the upper surface of the top.

4. A convertible stool and table comprising pairs of leg members, means for holding the leg members in spaced parallel relation, means for hingedly securing the legs of one pair to the legs of another pair, a relatively rigid top having a pair of spaced slots extending inwardly from one edge thereof, a double acting hinge engaging the top and the leg holding means and swingable within the slots upon movement of the top from a folded position to an extended position, means for holding the top in folded position between the legs, a pair of top extensible members, means for hingedly securing the members to opposing edges of the top, means for locking the members in folded position against one face of the top, and bracing means carried by the leg holding means for holding the extensible members in operative position.

5. In a stool and table including legs hingedly secured together, a top, means for hingedly securing the top to the legs for swinging movement therebetween when in folded position, a pair of top extensions secured one on each side thereof, means for hinging the extensions to the edges of the top, means for locking the extensions in folded position, bracing members, and means for slidably mounting said bracing members on said leg members to support said extensions in operative position.

6. A convertible stool and table comprising top extensions secured one on each side of the top, means for hinging the extensions to the top, means carried by one of the extensions and engaging the other extensions to lock the extensions in a position against one face of the top, a pair of U-shaped bracing members slidably engaging each cross bar and disposed one adjacent each end thereof, and means for limiting the sliding movement of the braces.

AUGUST SCHENCK. 

